Cops set up 200 checkpoints in several regions to contain COVID-19

Around 200 checkpoints have been set up around Metro Manila and neighboring regions to monitor the borders to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 from affected areas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Sunday.

A community quarantine to counter the spread of COVID-19 came into effect over Metro Manila at 12 noon Sunday, as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Uniformed personnel have been deployed to man the borders and the checkpoints.

“Ayon po sa ulat na nakuha po natin sa police command center, ay meron na dito sa National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) na-establish na 47 checkpoints,” PNP acting spokesperson Major General Benigno Durana Jr. said.

“We hope that as the day progress po ma-cover-an po natin para maging epektibo ang ating pagpapatupad ng community quarantine,” Durana said.

Aside from the NCRPO, other police regional offices (PRO), such as in Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol, and  Central Luzon, also established checkpoints in their respective areas

“Nagkaroon ng checkpoints sa iba’t ibang rehiyon kagaya ng PRO 4A, PRO 4B, and PRO 5. In total just like in NCRPO and PRO 3, PRO 4, meron na po tayong mahigit kumulang 200 checkpoints at ito ay minaman ng ating mga pulis," he added.

According to him, almost 2,000 NCRPO personnel manned the checkpoints in NCR.

Personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Coast Guard were also designated at the checkpoints.

The PNP-Aviation Security Group (Avsegroup) was tasked to lead the border control in airports, Durana said. —Joviland Rita/GMA News